DRC 04-03-08Design Review Committee
April 3, 2008
Cupertino, CA 95014
(408) 777-3308
APPROVED MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE DESIGN REVIEW
COMMITTEE HELD ON Apri13, 2008
ROLL CALL
Committee Members present:
Committee Members absent:
Staff present:
Staff absent:
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
None
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS:
None
Lisa Giefer, Chairperson
Jessica Rose, Commissioner
None
Colin Jung
Gary Chao
None
POSTPONEMENTS/REMOVAL FROM CALENDAR:
None
ORAL COMMUNICATION:
None
CONSENT CALENDAR:
None
PUBLIC HEARING:
Application No.(s): EXC-2008-04
Applicant: Barbara Ford
Location: 19480 Stevens Creek Blvd
Sign Exception for a proposed logo to exceed the allowed height at an existing service station
(Jiffy Lube)
Design Reviezu Committee decision final unless appealed.
Staff member Jung presented a sign exception application for Jiffy Lube. They are currently undergoing a
corporate re-imaging campaign and would like to reduce their existing 30" sign with a 20". The exception
is necessary because the current sign ordinance calls for a sign no greater than 18" in height in areas with
an existing reduced setback. Staff supports the application. Mr. Alan Ford from Coast Signs, explained
the sign design to the Commissioners. The sign will be channel lettering illuminated in the same fashion
as the existing sign. The lettering is well below the height maximums but are as large the scale of the sign
will allow and still provide visibility. The Commissioners had no additional questions.
2
Design Review Committee
April 3, 2008
MOTION: Commissioner Rose moved to approve EXC-2008-04
SECOND: Chairperson Giefer
ABSENT: none
ABSTAIN: none
VOTE: 2-0
2. Application No. (s)
Applicant:
Location:
DIR-2008-05
Gregg Bunker
1375 S De Anza Blvd
Director's Minor Modification to a Use Permit (U-2003-03) for minor landscaping and exterior
enhancements as part of the condition of approval for DIR-2007-27
Design Review Committee decision final unless appealed.
Staff member Chao explained that as part of the DIR-2007-27 application's conditions of approval, the
Design Review Committee needed to review required architectural enhancements and landscaping prior
to final approval of occupancy by the Building Department for the six condominium units. The applicant
has proposed to add trellises over the garage entry and around the balcony of Unit C to screen the mass of
the condos. They are also proposing to plant three trees in the landscape parkway by Yamagami's
Nursery and one on the lawn area of the current Wolfe Camera store. Staff supports the application with
the conditions that the size of tree on the lawn be a 48" box instead of the proposed 24" and to have the
applicant provide a landscaping bond of $50,000 to the City. Chairperson Giefer asked if there was room
to plant three trees in the parkway as there are already several fruit trees there. Staff member Chao said he
had an earlier conversation with the landscape architect who confirmed there was room. Commissioner
Rose mentioned that the proposed trees were slow growing trees and wondered if the trees would be
compatible with each other. The applicant, Gregg Bunker, stated that the parkway is larger than it appears
on the drawings. He has already planted the threes in there and feels they will do a fine job of screening
on that side because there will be less pruning of the fruit trees. He has also already planted the 24" box in
the lawn area as well. Overall the site has 30 trees on it. The City removed the large Ash trees that lined
the street. He is in a financial situation and needs to have final occupancy so he can sell the condo units as
soon as possible. He would like the bond requirement reduced to $10,000 since the trees have already
been planted and he has every intention of having trellises installed. The project's architect, Tom Sloan,
stated that in addition to the trees to provide screening, bamboo has also been planted on the northern
elevation. He expressed concern that adding a trellis would increase the mass of the development rather
than help to diminish it. Chairperson Giefer asked what the cost of construction would be for a wall
bolted trellis versus ground mounted. She was told the wall bolted kind was much more expensive. She
explained that her concerns at the Planning Commission meeting were with regard to the screening of the
front building (Wolfe Camera), drive through area. Staff member Chao made several suggestions for
architectural features instead of a trellis to help break up the large scale of the wall. The applicant stated
that he would rather put a trellis in to shield the balcony of the condo unit from looking down into the
trash area. The discussion continued about different construction materials that might be used for these
architectural features and/or trellises. Chairperson Giefer would approve the application as long as the
applicant "softened" the look of the north facing wall by installing three to four substantial trellis
screening design elements made from metal or other durable material that could be painted to
complement the other building colors. He could get final placement and color approval from staff. She
wanted the tree on the lawn in front of Wolfe Camera to be replaced with a 48" box, a bolted trellis
feature needed to be installed over the driveway entry, however, a trellis in the patio area is optional. She
also reduced the amount of the required deposit from $50, 000.00 to $10, 000.00.
3
Design Review Committee
April 3, 2008
MOTION: Chairperson Giefer moved to approve DIR-2008-05 with the above mentioned
conditions
SECOND: Commissioner Rose
ABSENT: none
ABSTAIN: none
VOTE: 2-0
OLD BUSINESS:
None
NEW BUSINESS:
None
Res ectfully submitted:
-~
Beth Ebben
Administrative Clerk
g:planning/DRC Committee/Minutes040308